11 Fruits That Start With U With Pictures

Jamie Scott

By Jamie Scott

Lastest Updated August 16, 2025
Home » Fruits A-Z » 11 Fruits That Start With U With Pictures

Fruits that start with U is a topic that many people find unusual and unfamiliar, but that is part of the fun. You’re about to discover exotic fruits that will amaze people around you since they are a rare sight in the West.

While this list isn’t long, it is full of fantastic options that rank high on the list of foods that start with U. Their refreshing flavors and the interesting stories behind their history are a great delight to enjoy.

Read on and join in discovering 11 amazing U-named fruits. While you’re at it, look at vegetables that also start with U, too.

11 Outstanding Fruits That Start With U With Filter

Scroll down to discover 11 excellent U-named fruits in nature. For your ease of reference, I have included interactive filters in terms of exotic fruits, fruits for cooking, fruits for beverages, and fruits for decorating dishes and beverages.

Ugli

  • Exotic
  • For Beverages
  • For Dishes

Ugli, also known as Jamaican tangelo or uglifruit, is a natural hybrid of grapefruit and tangerine. It was discovered in the early 20th century in Jamaica and has been grown in various tropical regions since then.

An ugli fruit sports a grapefruit-like appearance with rough, wrinkly, greenish-yellow skin. Legend has it that an importer described the fruit as an “ugly fruit,” hence the name ugli.

However, once you peel the unattractive skin by hand or with a knife, you will be greeted with juicy, sweet-tart pulps with very floral aromas. Consume this flesh raw or add it to salads, desserts, cocktails, and juices for a tropical twist.

Ugni

  • Exotic
  • For Garnish

Ugni is a generic name for the strawberry myrtle or Chilean guava berry, an exotic red fruit native to Chile, Argentina, and Mexico. It was once a favorite fruit of Queen Victoria of Britain, who tried to promote its popularity in her country.

Ugni berries have a small size and a deliciously sweet flavor similar to strawberries, plus some tangy undertones. These berries can be eaten fresh or added to breakfast dishes and desserts for a touch of luxury.

Due to their exquisite flavor profiles, ugni berries have been grown in many tropical regions, especially in Australia and New Zealand, where they are called tazziberry.

Umbu

  • Exotic
  • For Beverages

Umbu, also known as Brazil plum or imbu, is a tropical fruit mainly found in the semi-arid tropical climate of northeast Brazil. It is round, greenish-yellow, and has soft, juicy flesh with a sweet and slightly tangy flavor.

You can eat umbu just like regular plums by biting directly into the fruit. This Brazilian fruit and its products, such as umbu-based beverages, play a role in the economy of rural communities as they are a source of income for the underprivileged.

Uvilla

  • Exotic
  • For Dishes

Uvilla, also known as uchuva, goldenberry, or Peruvian groundcherry, is a South American yellow fruit in the nightshade family. Over time, it has been brought to many temperate and tropical regions worldwide, such as England and South Africa.

Uvilla boasts a history stretching back to the ancient Andean civilizations. Covered in a papery husk, similar to a small lantern, this fruit has a spherical shape and glossy yellow skin.

Flavor-wise, the juicy flesh of uvilla has a mix of tartness and sweetness with hints of mangoes and pineapples. If you don’t want to consume it raw, turning it into salads, desserts, and sauces is a brilliant idea.

Ume

  • For Beverages
  • For Dishes
  • For Garnish

Ume, also known as Japanese plum, Japanese apricot, or Chinese plum, is the Japanese name for a small sour fruit popular in East Asia, especially Japan. Despite being called a “plum” in many alternative English names, it is more related to the apricot.

A typical ume tree bears small, green fruits that mature in early spring. These are notably sour and slightly bitter, so they are mainly used in making pickled form (umeboshi) or in making plum wine (umeshu) rather than being eaten fresh.

In addition, ume is sometimes used in sauces, jams, and as a flavoring agent. Spiritually speaking, the ume tree symbolizes perseverance and hope due to its early blossoming.

Uva Rara Grape

  • For Beverages

Uva Rara, literally “rare grape,” is a red grape variety native to Italy, particularly the Piedmont and Lombardy regions. Its main application is in wine production.

Uva Rara grapes have a medium-sized, cylindrical shape with a blue-black color. Flavor-wise, they offer a lightly aromatic profile with smooth, floral notes.

Uva Rara grapes have the ability to soften tannins and enhance the aromatic complexity of Italian wines. Their season occurs between late summer and early autumn.

Uvalino Grape

  • For Beverages

Uvalino, literally “small berry,” is an Italian red grape variety indigenous to Piedmont. Like the Uva Rara grape, it plays an important role in the region’s established wine-making tradition.

Harvested in autumn, Uvalino grapes are the key to rich, full-bodied red wines with a dark fruit flavor profile and a hint of spice. Locals usually blend them with other grapes for higher-quality wines.

Usuma

  • Exotic
  • For Dishes

Usuma, also known as silver peanut butter fruit, is a small tropical fruit native to various parts of South America. It has vivid orange-red skin and a creamy, mildly sweet flavor that resembles peanut butter, hence the name.

While usuma is a relatively rare fruit, many hobby gardeners in the US have taken to growing it in their backyard, so you may actually find it if you’re in luck. But remember that this fruit is rather small and should be eaten before it is overripe.

Urava

  • Exotic
  • For Dishes

Urava is an alternative name for the mangrove apple, a tropical fruit mainly used for cooking in Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Northern Australia. Due to its distinct sourness, it works well in savory dishes like stews and curries, not to mention sauces.

A normal urava fruit has a greenish-red exterior and a round shape. As its interior is made up of spongy, fibrous flesh, it can float on the water.

Saline coastal waters are the main habitat for urava, which is a source of food for various types of wildlife.

Ububese

  • Exotic
  • For Dishes

Ububese, also known as wild custard apple, wild soursop, or African custard apple, is a tropical fruit indigenous to Africa. It has long been a traditional food source for local people.

The ububese tree prefers loamy or sandy soil and produces yellow-orange fruits with a blend of sweetness and tartness like apricots. Locals usually press open or pull apart an ububese fruit by force before eating its exterior with a spoon.

Alternatively, ububese-based ice cream is another well-loved treat.

Udara

  • Exotic
  • For Dishes

Udara, also known as African star apple, is a beloved fruit in many African countries, especially Nigeria. Mainly found in the tropics, it is in season and turns yellow between December and March.

Ripe udara fruits don’t have a big size, but their pulp is refreshingly sweet and tart. Eating them raw, juicing them, or cooking them in stews are a few popular ways of consuming these fruits, which are high in vitamins and antioxidants.

Your knowledge of fruits that start with U is now quite complete. In the next section, I will cover a few notable U-named vegetables.

Your knowledge of fruits that start with U is now quite complete. In the next section, I will cover a few notable U-named vegetables.

What Are Popular Vegetables That Start With U?

Like fruits, U-listed vegetables aren’t very numerous, but they are full of delicious flavors. Here are some prominent options.

Purple Yam Ube

Ube

Ube, also known as purple yam, is a root vegetable hailing from Southeast Asia, especially the Philippines. It is famous for its vibrant violet-purple color.

Olluquito Root Vegetable

Ulluco

Ulluco is a colorful root vegetable of South American origin. It has a similar shape and taste to the potato but is smaller and more flavorful.

Has your mind been blown by those options? Check out the comprehensive list of vegetables that start with U for more surprises!

Of course, fruits are still the main topic of this informative guide. Tell me what you think about my recommendations in the comment section. If you have tried them before, I’d love to know your experience, too.

Don’t forget to share these of fruits that start with U with your friends and make sure to uncover over fruits of other alphabets.

By Alphabet:

Jamie Scott

Jamie Scott

Editor in Chief, Senior Content Writer

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Western Food Evaluation Expert

Education

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Gained foundational knowledge in French and European culinary techniques. Participated in workshops and hands-on training sessions under the guidance of seasoned chefs.

Local Community College, New York, NY

  • Program: Associate’s Degree in Nutrition
  • Focus: Acquired basic understanding of nutrition principles, dietary needs, and the importance of balanced diets in daily life.
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Jamie Scott is a skilled culinary expert and content creator specializing in Western cuisine. With over 15 years in the culinary field and formal training from Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, Jamie deeply understands how to blend nutrition with delicious flavors. His passion for cooking matches his commitment to making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable.

On Fifteen.net, Jamie brings a fresh perspective to classic dishes and beverages, offering readers insightful recipes, cooking tips, and a fresh view on meal planning that emphasizes taste, health, and simplicity.

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